Advancing ecosystem accounting in estuaries: Swartkops Estuary case study

Susan Taljaard; Lara van Niekerk; Janine B. Adams; Taryn Riddin

doi:10.17159/sajs.2023/14303

Authors

Susan Taljaard 1.Coastal Systems and Earth Observations Research Group, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Stellenbosch, South Africa; 2.Institute for Coastal and Marine Research, Nelson Mandela University, Gqeberha, South Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6206-8623
Lara van Niekerk 1.Coastal Systems and Earth Observations Research Group, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Stellenbosch, South Africa; 2.Institute for Coastal and Marine Research, Nelson Mandela University, Gqeberha, South Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5761-1337
Janine B. Adams 1.Institute for Coastal and Marine Research, Nelson Mandela University, Gqeberha, South Africa; 2.DSI/NRF Research Chair in Shallow Water Ecosystems, Nelson Mandela University, Gqeberha, South Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7204-123X
Taryn Riddin 1.Institute for Coastal and Marine Research, Nelson Mandela University, Gqeberha, South Africa; 2.DSI/NRF Research Chair in Shallow Water Ecosystems, Nelson Mandela University, Gqeberha, South Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5877-3431

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17159/sajs.2023/14303

Keywords:

estuary-level, extent and condition accounts, pressure accounts, physical ecosystem service accounts, management

Abstract

Rapid degradation of ecosystems and loss of ecosystem services have sparked interest in developing approaches to report and integrate such change with socio-economic information systems, such as the System of National Accounts. Here we describe an approach and application of ecosystem accounting for individual estuaries, building on approaches previously applied at national and bay levels. Using the Swartkops Estuary as a case study, the focus is on physical accounts for ecosystem extent and condition, as well as accounts for two important ecosystem services (carbon sequestration and recreational use). Pressure accounts are also introduced to demonstrate the value of identifying key areas for management and restoration interventions in response to changes in extent and/or condition accounts. Greater resolution in these account reports, achieved through zoning, provides spatially explicit information on ecosystem assets and their services within an estuary to also inform management decision-making at local level. Further, these accounts can also inform local restoration prioritisation, in support of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021–2030), for example offsetting irreversibly degraded areas in one zone with restoration or maintenance of similar habitats in another.

Significance:

This study is the first to apply the ecosystem accounting approach at the individual estuary level.
We provide spatially explicit information on ecosystem assets and their services in support of resource management.
Physical accounts include extent and condition, as well as ecosystem service and pressure accounts.
These accounts inform estuary management and restoration at the local governance level.